NGT asks UP to probe illegal groundwater extraction by Noida realty firms

Noida: National Green Tribunal has directed the state groundwater department to investigate complaints of illegal groundwater extraction by real estate companies in Noida and Greater Noida, and take remedial and punitive action where violations are found. The order came on a petition by activist Vikrant Tongad, who alleged widespread dewatering by builders seeking deeper excavation for high-rise construction.The department has been directed to complete the exercise within three months. The order was passed on May 27 while disposing of the original application filed by Tongad earlier this year. The application raised concerns regarding the alleged unauthorised extraction of groundwater at various locations, including projects associated with Microsoft (Sector 145), ACE 153 (Sector 153), Migsun Builder (Techzone-II, Greater Noida) and construction sites in sectors 94, 150, and parts of the YEIDA region.The issue has already been taken up by the department, which on May 11 directed GB Nagar district magistrate to take immediate action in the matter of illegal groundwater extraction and its wastage by Migsun Builders in the Greater Noida area and report within 10 days.The action was taken in response to the complaint of Tongad as director of the department wrote a letter to the DM informing him that Migsun Builders is continuously carrying out dewatering operations in the Tech Zone area of Greater Noida. “The groundwater extracted by the concerned person is directly discharged into the sewer system, which is a violation of the rules. As a result of the illegal extraction of groundwater in large quantities, the groundwater level of the entire area is falling,” the letter reads, directing that under the provisions contained in the Uttar Pradesh Groundwater (Management and Regulation) Act, 2019, further action on the matter should be taken.The bench comprising chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A. Senthil Vel noted that while the state groundwater department was made a party as respondent in the original application, none of the builders or industries found violating the norms were made parties.The tribunal has directed the department to examine the complaint, conduct ground verification and, if any tube well or bore well is found to be operating illegally, take action in accordance with law, including remedial and punitive measures.Tongad told TOI that groundwater levels in Noida and Greater Noida have been under stress due to rapid urbanisation and large-scale construction activities. “We will wait for three months for the groundwater department to take action. If they fail to file a report, a fresh complaint would be filed impleading the builders and industries that have been violating the norms,” he said.